A New Year.......A New Knee

Hi. It's been a while I know but I have a valid excuse reason. After quite a few years of being in pain last month I had a knee replacement. It's been a tough few weeks but I'm looking forward to 2013 being painfree and the year of getting more active again. Although this snowy weather hasn't made getting out for a walk very easy so fingers crossed that's it for the time being.

I'm lucky to have crafty interests to keep me entertained because you certainly can't rely on daytime TV. Knitting has been my saviour and I've knitted up a whole host of scarves and hand warmers.

Here's a little peek.......

....some bow tie scarves in lovely merino.

And I felt the need to make another owl cushion

In fact things seem to have gone owl mad around here but more of that another time.

I'm looking forward to catching up with friends in blogland - hope to see you soon.

Visting Ophelia

It's been a full packed week but in between a vineyard tour, making new cushion covers, bottling my blackberry gin, singing Jerusalem (don't ask!), altering a pair of curtains and worrying if we'd bought enough wallpaper I took a trip to London.

Ever since I saw the Pre-Raphaelites exhibition advertised at the Tate I had plans to visit especially when I saw that Ophelia by Millais would be featured. It was really interesting seeing how William Morris designed his wallpapers and fabrics too.

If you would like to go the exhibition runs until 13 January 2013 and you can find lots of interest here on their Pinterest board.

I also found time to finish a scarf and knit up some matching handwarmers.

 

I'll get these added to the shop and although they are a perfect match they will be available to buy separately. I'm particularly fond of the handwarmers maybe it's the vintage button trim?

 

Scarf Update....

Hi, just to let you know that I have added the scarves to my online shop......

........working on some handwarmers now :-)

It's Friday

Even though it's dull and grey......and raining outside I've still got that Friday feeling. Today is also my last scarf post - you've probably had enough by now.

More soft and cosy, more giant buttons but this time in a lovely shade of blue.

I also promised yesterday to update you on a crochet project. Back in May I posted about my efforts to learn how to crochet. I made a start by learning how to do a granny square.

The plan was for it to be a cushion cover but it turned into....

.....this and it's still growing although it's reached such a size that using oddments of wool is no longer an option for completing a round. I had been taking it to my stitching group but it no longer fits easily into my basket. I suppose in the winter months if I work on it I will have the added bonus of it keeping me warm at the same time.

Another project that is still going although sadly neglected in favour of scarves is my jumper. I really must make an effort. I started it in August and at this rate it will be August before it's finished.

Thank you for the interest in my scarves :-) Once I have them in the shop I'll let you know.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday.....time for another scarf

Are you bored yet? Yes, I've got another scarf for you

This one is all natural and very soft being 85% wool and 15% alpaca.

Instead of a button this one has a wooden decorative bead and the colour of the yarn is not quite black. In fact it's a very similar shade to the scarf that's on my needles at the moment knitted in yesterday's scarf design.

......nearly complete.

Join me tomorrow when I'll have another scarf and an update on a crochet project.

Wednesday's scarf is full of warmth

Todays scarf design is my scarf of choice at the moment. It's a very versatile shape and can be worn lots of ways.......traditional flung over the shoulder look.

......wrapped snugly.

......used as a shawl for those chilly evenings. Knitted in aran it's very cosy.

This pink one will be available in my online shop soon and I'm working on a charchoal grey one too.

Thank you for your comments on yesterdays scarf it's always nice to know what you think. I'll be back tomorrow with another.

Time for a bit of cosy

As the weather changes and there is a noticable nip in the air my thoughts always turn to scarves and gloves. My scarf has been in evidence for a while but as yet the gloves are just on standby but I'm sure it won't be long before they are a permanent fixture as I leave the house.

The change in the weather has encouraged me to knit up a few scarves too and over the next few days I'll share a few and hopefully get some into my online shop. This design is knitted in super chunky yarn in a lovely rich shade of purple trimmed with a giant button.

I'm working on some handwarmers too the ones I made last year were so popular that I sold them all before any could even make it into my shop. In fact the ones I've knitted so far have already sold. It seems everyone loves handwarmers.

I'll see you tomorrow with another scarf - keep cosy wherever you are.

I'm nominating my scarf as my October Monthly Make and wishing Annie well.

Rewarding and Simple to Knit

....that's how the dachshund is described in the knitting book Best In Show.

And he was.

Have you seen the book? It's not new but I found it at a bargain price so snapped it up.

He is supposed to have a knitted collar but I couldn't resist giving him a neckerchief made from a scrap of liberty fabric.

You may notice that the book he is standing on isn't knit your own dog but knit your own cat. That was a bargain price too and I don't think my own cat is impressed that I decided to knit a dog before a cat. Perhaps I should knit a cat next it will sure be less trouble than the real life version and a whole lot quieter.

I'm nominating this little chap as my September Monthly Make.

An Olympian Effort

Hello I've just about recovered from all the excitement of the Olympics, have you? So much to watch and cheer for.

I've just embarked on my own marathon - knitting a jumper. I've admired the pattern for over a year and when I finally found some yarn that made it an affordable project I took the plunge. I totally miscalculated how much I needed and was lucky that I was able to go back and order more  the cost of my bargain jumper was rising especially as I also had to buy the right sized circular needles......and I'm still not convinced I've got enough.

I managed to overcome the hurdle of the provisional cast on and found a new method of using a crocheted chain only then to be stumped with the major calculations required to make the pattern fit me (see scribbled notes on pattern!) Even the Engineer of the house was perplexed. However I got there in the end.

So with calculations and cast on done I'm now stuck trying to work out the stitch pattern, honeycomb brioche......A You Tube search produced a tutorial which was very continental and just confused me even more but I'm getting there. I'm going to consult with with some experts at my stitching group this week I'm sure they will come up trumps.

Wish me luck I'm trying focus on how lovely those kimono sleeves will look when it's finished. See I'm being optimistic......when not if!

If you are interested in the pattern you can find it on Etsy by Karen Clements

Woolly Wonders

This weeks crafting looks something like this....

Still on that learning curve but I'm feeling a bit more confident.

Getting funny looks when in answer to what I was making came the reply 'knitting a jumper for Sindy'. He should have been thankful it wasn't the Batman cape and matching jumper. After much frantic searching I found Sindy and once I've sorted her hair out (I obviously wanted a punk Sindy as there was a large chunk of pink!) maybe she might do a spot of modelling.

As if my hexie obsession isn't bad enough I found a pattern to crochet them too.

What are they going to be I was asked. Just.... you know.......a blanket? To go with the patchwork quilt I started months ago.......;-)

Rain, rain go away......

Yesterday I wore a scarf and today I considered boots. The great British summer......mmmmm.

So the knitting continues.

That's my new basket in the background, I had big plans to use it shopping but I don't think it will be much good in the rain.

However the stay at home wet weather has given me the opportunity to complete a few other projects including this ereader cover.

So it's not all bad........still hoping the sun makes a return soon though.

Fancy a Cuppa?

Are you a tea drinker or more of a coffee person? Me? I like nothing better than a strong cup of black coffee freshly produced by my coffee machine. But whatever your preference you need a mug.......or a cup and saucer?

Maybe it's because of the miserable weather but I fancied a return to a bit of knitting and this small cabled mug cosy seemed just the thing. Of course I couldn't stop at just one so I made another......

Both of these mugs and their cosies are currently awaiting owners and are for sale on my shelf at Rough Trade in Margate.

If tea is your drink of choice are you are local to Margate you should definitely pay a visit to Lady Tesla's Loose Leaves & Mud in King Street. I popped in yesterday and came out with some Arctic Fire which is a scented china black tea with blue cornflowers. It smells and tastes delicious.

Happy brewing.

I'm back with a bit more sewing. Over the Christmas break I hunted out some small projects that I could sew using my new quilting attachments for a bit of practice. It's been addictive fun.

I made the fabric book bag from the latest edition of Mollie Makes and knitted up a bookmark to go with it from a free pattern by Tricksy Knitter. Great for holidays don't you think?

Looking at my fabric I decided I had lots of scraps and after I made the cathedral window pincushion wondered what else I could make from them. After a bit of searching I came across ticker tape quilting. What a great idea, being able to use up all those little bits that I thought might just come in handy and tiny bits of my favourite fabrics that I couldn't bear to throw away.

Of course it also gave me an opportunity to use my new walking foot.....

....... and brought out the scrapbooker in me it was just like creating a new layout. Add a photo and some journalling and it could be. These scraps are sewn onto a background fabric and batting sandwich. The unfinished edges of the scraps give it quite a rustic look but all that sewing was quite relaxing and I tried not to worry if one ended up in not quite the right place or a little wonky. I also found another fantastic technique for using scraps but more on that another day.

This new enthusiasm for quilting has also seen me agreeing to make a baby quilt. So far so good. Deciding on fabric was hard, so many choices.

These are my rows all pieced together awaiting pressing. Again I was able to use fabric that I'd kept just waiting for that right project. See the fabric with the washing line? I made a teddy out of that for a friend who was having a baby. That baby is now 14! Me a hoarder? 

Anyway, I've now got my quilt top finished and ready to move onto the next step, tricky quilting and binding but things I've learnt so far:

• Piecing together with a 1/4" seam foot saves so much time and frustration
• Always press the seams
• Careful planning and calculation help in the long run
• It looks like using white as a background or sashing could be my style
• Using a rotary cutter is essential

I'll keep you updated on my quilting progress

Stitched and Ready To Go

Hi, how is the Autumn weather treating you? Here it's very much cooler but then I suppose that is to be expected it is October afterall. It's just a bit of a shock after last weeks scorching temperatures.

As the weather hasn't been great I've spent some time giving my website a much needed facelift and updating my online shop. I've been giving some serious thought to doing a craft fair but nothing is quite as easy as it first seems so for the time being I'm sticking with my online shop. Here are a few of my recent makes which are now available to buy and I'm currently offering free UK postage.

As you can see from the photos my decorated pebbles make great props, just the thing for displaying a ring.

For those of you wondering what I'm knitting from my last post yep, it is a scarf from a great free pattern I found on Ravelry called the Gathered Scarf. The pattern is really easy and it knits up quickly too. I'm using some Wendy merino wool which is a pure ultra soft DK. It should soon be finished so I'll show you how it turns out.

It's T(hat) Time of Year

Yep, it's time for the Big Knit. It kind of snuck up on me this year and I almost missed it. Luckily I realised just in time to get a few hats knitted up ready to be sent off before the deadline next week.

If you shop in either Boots or Sainsburys then you might spot a few of these behatted bottles over the coming few weeks. For every bottle sold the very generous Innocent Drinks people will donate 25p to Age UK. (From 2nd November in Sainsburys and 9th November in Boots). This year they aim to raise £1 million.

Also on my needles......

It must be the arrival of Autumn that's prompted the flurry of knitting.

More buttons, more gnomes and a winner

Hi.

The gnome production is chugging along in preparation for (I'll whisper it) *Christmas*. I saw a sign the other day saying 'only 36 shopping days until Christmas'. Well that was enough to send me into a panic. Here is the teeny tomte, he measures just 9 inches from his boots to the tip of his outstretched hat.

I've also made some more Christmassy buttons, yep there's no stopping me now I'm on a roll.

The ones in the middle have tiny holly leaves stamped and coloured on them.

I was very excited last week to receive the Moo minicards cards I ordered. I uploaded images of journal pages and cards I've made. You might even spot the paper dahlia wall decoration I made. I was pleased with how they turned out and should anyone actually buy anything from me they will be going into the packages that I send. They make great labels too.

And before I forget completely the winner of my button giveaway is Kirsti Your chosen Cath Kidston buttons will soon be on their way to you and I'll pop one of my button flowers in too, you can use them on layouts or cards or even to decorate a gift.

Bye for now - Happy crafting

Swedish Jultomar

Meet my Swedish Jultomar otherwise known as a Yuletide Gnome.

 I just love knitting these gnomes (pattern by Alan Dart) they have such character.

He has a bit of weight in that plump behind so that he perches perfectly.

I'm liking the hat so much that I'm considering upsizing it for adult wear :-)

If the popularity of last years Teeny Tomte (mini gnomes) is anthing to go by he is going to be one popular little fella. I have one of those knitted but I have yet to make him up so when I do I'll show you the comparision in size.

Don't forget that if you would like to win a set of my papercrafted buttons enter my giveaway and leave me a comment here by midnight Saturday 20th

Back to fabric and wool

After last weeks brief relationship with paper this week I'm back to creating with fabric and wool. 

After spotting some interesting looking wool I knitted up a cosy neckwarmer........

...........then I spied some more wool that took my fancy. Seriously chunky and such a lovely green, in fact the label calls it meadow green.

I wanted to try one in wool too so I chose a ball of Rowan 100% merino wool in a delicate shade of grey. It's not as wide as the green one but just as cosy knitted in moss stitch.

If you've visited any of the fashion websites recently such as net-a-porter or my wardrobe you might have spotted that snood type scarves are making a comeback. Don't worry they have definitely moved on since the days of Nik Kershaw! But seriously who can afford to pay nearly £100 for a scarf? Not me that's for sure. Once I have a collection together I plan on putting them in my online shop or if I ever get my act together in my yet to open etsy shop. Note to self: Sort it Out!!!

 And finally a sweet little wrist purse decorated with some felted wool die cut flowers. Yes, yet more uses for my tattered floral die - money well spent.

I have just realised that I have more to share of my crafty week but I've forgotten to take photos and as the clocks have gone back - IT'S DARK. Boo!

The Big Stitch

Thank you to those of you who have shown an interest in my taking part in The Big Stitch I now have a Just Giving page up and running so if you would like to donate and in return receive a little knitted heart the link is in my sidebar. If I need to post the heart to you please allow me to email you as I will need your address details. I hope you'll help me knit up a little love.

There has also been lots of stitching going on in the form of sewing here this week. I tend to visit my favourite crafts in phases and at the moment sewing seems to be in favour. Do you remember the baby bodysuit I customised well this week I've done the same to a T-shirt for me.

Don't you just love the design? And my label die came in handy too to use as a template to cut out my design which I stitched on some Amy Butler fabric. Me being me I chose a black T-shirt so it wasn't easy to photograph but I have more designs to stitch yet..........so watch this space.

And I couldn't resist making this fabric bunny after spotting the free downloadable pattern at Revoluzzza I know some of you will want to make one too so let me know if you do and I'd love to see it. My bunny will be getting some friends as I want to make more :-)

That's all for today I have bunnies to sew, hearts to knit..........